C.S. Lewis on Real Life Interruptions

C.J. Mahaney has been talking about Biblical Productivity over at his blog. In his latest installment he discusses Scheduling the Unexpected. He also shares this convicting quote by C.S. Lewis on how we view these interruptions that are sometimes quite unpleasant.

"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s “own,” or “real” life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one’s “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time." The Quotable Lewis (Wheaton, IL.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1989), 335.

Props: Sovereign Grace Blog

Marriage and The Wrath of God

"A profound understanding and fear of God’s wrath is exactly what many marriages need, because without it, the gospel is diluted down to mere human relations and loses its biblical glory. Without a biblical view of God’s wrath, you will be tempted to think that your wrath—your anger—against your spouse is simply too big to overcome, because you have never really tasted what it is like to see an infinitely greater wrath overcome by grace, namely, God’s wrath against you." (John Piper, This Momentary Marriage-A Parable of Permanence, pg. 44-45)

Click here to go to DesiringGod.org to get PDF of this book.

OR

Here for Amazon.com to purchase book copy.

John Piper: What is Marriage

“Marriage is patterned after Christ’s covenant relationship to his redeemed people, the church. And therefore, the highest meaning and the most ultimate purpose of marriage is to put the covenant relationship of Christ and his church on display. That is why marriage exists. If you are married, that is why you are married. If you hope to be, that should be your dream.” (John Piper, This Momentary Marriage-A Parable of Permanence, pg. 25)

Click here to go to DesiringGod.org to get PDF of this book.

OR

Here for Amazon.com to purchase book copy.

Husbands Protect Their Wives

Here is one more video to help prepare for tonight @ The Well. It is from Mark Driscoll.

iMonk on the Collapse of Evangelism

Thanks to my friend Mark for sending this link.

I do not always agree with Michael Spencer aka internetmonk, but on this topic I think he has a lot of good insight. Spencer shares reasons for the prediction he has for a coming collapse of evangelicalism in the U.S. and the fall out that will occur, all of which is not that bad. There was one paragraph that really stood out to me that I adamantly agree with, it is sad but so true.

The evangelical investment in moral, social, and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. Being against gay marriage and being rhetorically pro-life will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of Evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence. We fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith.

Click here for the rest of this provocative article

American Christianity today is more about what we are against in politics and morality than the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are more passionate about winning someone to our cause whether it be anti-gay marriage or pro-life. I am very pro-life, but that cannot be the Christians soapbox, or mission, we should protect the lives of the innocent, but this has to be an outpouring of the truth of Jesus.

Our first and primary mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Sadly we have lost that and have become more passionate about legislating morality and turning America back to "Christian Nation" which we never were by the way.

Disagree with me?

That is ok, let me ask you this, when is the last time you shared the gospel with someone? When is the last time you argued against a cause? Which one do you do more often?

Maybe a better question, do you know the cause you are against and can articulate that better than the gospel of Jesus Christ??

(Disclaimer: This is not a plea to stop activism against abortion, I think we should by word and deed talk out against this mass murder of babies and be passionate about adoption. Like my boy Z and his friend JT are. What I am pleading for is an understanding of what comes first and most importantly, Jesus and His name and work being known.)

John Piper - Marriage: Be Eager to Serve Each Other

Tonight at The Well I am talking about how marriage is from Jesus, about Jesus, reliant on Jesus and ultimately for Jesus. I thought this video from John Piper is a fitting preview for tonight.

Happy Birthday Brayden!!

Our little boy turns 1 year old today. I am trying to start a tradition of writing my kids letters on their birthdays, so they can look back and see how dad has prayed for them and instructed them to the glory of King Jesus. Here is letter 1 for Brayden:

Brayden,
My little man, I cannot begin to speak of the blessing you have been from Jesus into our family. Your smile, your adventurous spirit and loving nature brings a warmth to our home that is truly from our Lord. I pray daily for your salvation, that your heart would one day treasure, trust and love Jesus above anything and everyone else, including your mom and me! Even now at just 1 year of age your sinful nature comes through at times, that reminds me of all of our desperate need for redemption and saving from God’s wrath and right judgment. That is what Jesus did for us on the cross and through His resurrection, He calls us to trust in that and to love Him and follow Him. That is what my prayers are for you and your big sister Jordyn!

I also think of the man you are becoming. The husband you may one day be. I pray that as I imitate Jesus in how I treat your mom, you will see an example worth following. I pray that you will learn to protect and defend all women. That you will see your call as a man is to lead, and serve with love, gentleness and strength. Your dad is not perfect, he is on a journey to seek and love Jesus more daily and at times I fail, and must preach the beautiful news of Jesus to myself and push forward. I pray that in the good times and in those times of failure, the love, steadfastness and hope you see is not in dad, but in Jesus.

I love you son, you are a blessing and gift from Jesus. Happy Birthday, and I look forward to many more if the Lord so chooses!


Dad